“Big Twenty” – Elva in Book 4… A Powerful Ally or a Fear-Worthy Enemy?

The Big Twenty is Shur’tugal’s twenty week long series of in depth discussion and theorizing, all centered around twenty core questions, loose ends, and theories in the Inheritance universe. The Big Twenty is the ultimate fan guide to happenings in Book 4 — and we hope you’ll join us for the adventure! To learn more about the Big Twenty, view our announcement article.

Elva is one of the most unique and fear-worthy characters in the Inheritance Cycle. It’s easy to forget that this once-normal baby is now a two year old abomination, permanently maimed by a well-intended but horribly-backfired blessing bestowed upon her by Eragon and Saphira at the behest of her caretaker, Greta.

Elva is a potential tide-turner in the war against Galbatorix and a force to be feared. Nasuada’s passionate attempts to convince the young girl to retain her pain-inducing powers for the sake of the Varden’s survival hammered home the importance of her powers, especially in the hands of the Varden, and re-enforced the thoughts on everyone’s minds: Elva needs to keep her powers until the death of Galbatorix in order to help aid in Galbatorix’s survival. But it wasn’t that simple, and Elva has since had her curse altered. She now acts on her own, a neutral piece on the board, and has the power to sway in either direction: good or bad.

Who and What Is Elva?

The Inheritance Almanac, the official companion guide to the Inheritance cycle, summarizes the bizarre-yet-appealing character of Elva rather eloquently:

Also known as “Farseer,” this young female member of the Varden is a heartbreaking example of well-intended magic gone awry. As a baby, Elva lived within Farthen Dûr in the care of the hermit Greta. During one of Eragon’s visits, Greta offered the baby to be blessed by the young hero. Eragon gave her his blessing, and Saphira touched her brow, leaving there a silvery star-shaped patch. It was assumed that only happiness would follow, but Elva began to age rapidly, eating constantly, growing far faster than a normal child, and manifesting the strange ability to predict others’ suffering. Her eyes and voice resemble those of a wizened old woman’s. Her caretaker consulted with Angela the herbalist, who sent the werecat to alert Nasuada. Nasuada asked Angela to keep an eye on Elva to make sure she didn’t become dangerous. Meanwhile, during his stay in Ellesméra, Eragon learned from Oromis that in his haste and inexperience in the use of the ancient language, he had bestowed a curse, not a blessing. Elva can sense and predict pain in those around her and feels compelled to shield them from it. If she resists the urge, she becomes physically ill.

It was decided that Elva’s strange powers to predict pain and suffering could be used in the service of the Varden’s leader. Elva saved Nasuada from Drail, a Black Hand assassin, tackling the Varden leader before a metal dart struck her. When Eragon returned to the Varden after his training in Ellesméra, he attempted to remove Elva’s curse but was only partly successful. Now Elva can still sense pain but can choose to ignore it—which makes her all the more dangerous.

The Orphan and the Caretaker

Elva was once the charge of Greta, her caretaker and the woman who requested the ill-fated blessing from Eragon and Saphira those many months ago in Farthen Dur. Elva’s “condition” has since seen the girl grow out of Greta’s control, and at the request of Nasuada, Angela has taken over as caretaker and a teacher of sorts to the cursed youngling.

However, following her outburst after Eragon’s semi-failed attempt at reversing his “blessing”, Elva has made it clear that she no longer has any desire to be cared for or looked after. Instead, Angela has pledged to continue working with the girl in hopes of teaching her manners, control, and keeping her on the proper side of Alagaesia’s conflicts.

Unnatural Powers and Abilities

When Elva sees a person, she senses all the hurts that beset or are about to beset the individual. The magic in her blood, a result of Eragon’s failed blessing, drives Elva to do what she can to protect people from the pain she senses, no matter what the cost. This magic has forced her body to age faster than normal (having the appearance of a four-year-old after only two years of growth) in order to be able to protect those she has sensed will be hurt or are hurting.

This gift (or curse) allows Elva to sense when harm will befall an individual, allowing her to be a useful tool in war. Her talents have been used to guard important leaders, such as Nasuada, in and out of battle. However, these benefits do come with a cost; in areas of great pain or suffering, the feelings within Elva grow unbearable, forcing her into deep sickness, and in many cases, blacking out.

Eragon’s Guilt and Pledge to Right a Wrong

Eragon’s guilt over causing this child’s life to be destroyed by pain and suffering drove him to discover a way to reverse his initial blessing. While this task is not unheard of, it’s also incredibly challenging and dangerous to perform. If the spellcaster is not careful of his intent, he can end up worsening the original effect.

When presented with the decision, Elva was delighted – a chance at normalcy is not something anyone would turn down, especially one suffering as much as Elva. However, not everyone saw eye-to-eye with Eragon and Elva on their decision to right the wrong. Nasuada, leader of the Varden, pleaded with Elva to reconsider her position and wait until the war against Galbatorix is finished. The powers “gifted” to her by this curse are too valuable to the Varden to lose in the middle of the war, she argued. While many agreed with her, Elva did not change her mind.

A Failed Attempt… Or Was It?

Eragon’s “failed attempt” to cure Elva of the failed blessing was a clever plot device by Christopher. This allows Elva to take on an entirely new role in Alagaesia’s conflicts. This change allowed her to finally voice her stance on helping the Varden: as long as she doesn’t have to suffer, she won’t, even if that means the Varden losing a powerful tool. This revealed that Elva’s alliance wasn’t as cut-and-dry as once thought; instead, it’s clear that Elva will bounce between those who benefit her the most.

Additionally, the half-fix applied by Eragon allows Elva to continue being a useful tool to the party she allies herself with without the negative toll it would normally take on her body. If she learns to properly control her new power (as Angela has offered to teach her), Elva can work past the physical and mental anguish to harness the ability, allowing her to hone in on immediate threats. This will be invaluable in the final conflicts.

Most Importantly, What Role Will Elva Play in Book 4?

Elva’s unique powers are exactly the type of ability the Varden needs within their arsenal in order to counteract the varying powers Galbatorix possesses, setting him eons ahead of the Varden’s efforts. However, Elva has made it clear that she no longer plays for any sides; instead, she is now a neutral party, feeling no obligation to any individual. Should the wrong decision be made, this could spell doom for the already-hurting resistance movement. However, if she is to join the proper side, the Varden could be enhanced by her ability to predict pain and suffering before it happens. Let’s explore all of the possibilities!

Elva Will Most Likely Stick With the Varden

At this point in the series, we see this as being most likely. Whether she likes it or not, Elva has made friends among the Varden – Eragon, Saphira, Angela, Solembum, and Nasuada have all come to enjoy and respect her. She may be young, but she’s also intelligent; how many people are going to be accepting of what they will see as an abomination? Magic may be prevalent in Alagaesia, but how many mutant future-predicting talking two year olds are there? We see no real incentive for Elva to join Galbatorix. What more does she need? What benefit does Galbatorix have to offer which she cannot already find within the Varden? Elva is an underdog, as are the members of the Varden, and she’ll likely stick with her kind.

Fan Opinions!

We’re going to try something new this week and offer a variety of varying opinions on Elva’s role in Book 4, all from Inheritance fans! We asked followers on our Shur’tugal Facebook page (over 9,200 followers and counting!) what they thought would happen to Elva in Book 4. We selected some of our favorite theories, which we think represent a wide range of ideas and viewpoints, and have left them below.

Alexis K: “I think that Galby knows about her. That he has already sent assassins out to kill her. Personally, I believe she will either be killed by an assassin of the King or be killed saving one of the other major characters.”

Zoie B: “Elva will be the one to uncover Galbatorix’s weakness for sure. The only question is whether she will reveal it and if so, to whom? She’s gone from being one of the Varden’s greatest assets to a bit of a rogue element in the war. Her distaste for Eragon (by the way, how did that happen? She forgave him in Eldest!) will cause strife and conflict. She is also a possible future dragon-rider. Her gedwey ignasia tells us that much. Greenie’s rider? Most likely not. But almost definitely a rider for one of Saphira’s sons or daughters.

Elva turns to the dark side, and I think she won’t, then the Varden are pretty much doomed. Elva is already evil in a way, her childhood was stolen and her life twisted beyond any comparison, and this has made her cold and cynical and verging on insane (or maybe that was being brought up by Angela). With the stocks of Eldunari and a girl who can predict any suffering, which means pretty much anything involving the war, Galbatorix’s power will be far too great to overcome.”

Josie F: “I think Elva will appear to betray the Varden, but in the end she will be the cause of Galbatorix’s downfall.”

Jai M: “I personally think that Elva will ultimately be the one who causes the death of Galbatorix. She could read his every move and coupled with Eragon and Saphira I think they’ll stand a good chance. Plus she could possibly help them find all the Eldunari?”

Cody O: “Elva will more than likely be a key character in book four, we all know that with Angela as her care taker she won’t be allowed to join Galbatorix, if anything I believe that Angela is going to make her a type of “apprentice” and teaching her how to use her abilities. As far as plot goes though, she will be there at the end with Eragon and Saphira”

Tabitha K: “I believe that with Elva it’s not so simple as Galbatorix or Eragon’s side. She’s been through a lot, yes, but her choices in Brisingr really reveal the self serving side of her personality. A side that I believe has been hidden due to her physical pain because of the curse. Elva is more than capable of creating her own ‘side’ to this war, with followers she can manipulate and maneuver like pieces on a chess board. I do believe that she knows Galbatorix’s biggest weakness, but I have serious doubts that she would simply give this information away. If the Varden do get it from her it’s going to cost them deeply.”

Ultimately, we want to know what you think will happen to Elva. Will she disappear and be absent in the final book? Will she continue to fight alongside the Varden? Will she allow herself to be manipulated? Will she die at the hands of Galbatorix? Will she join the Empire?

I don’t know if anyone else on this page has voiced this, but Elva is a likely secondary candidate for being Greeni’s Rider. I mean, she does have the “mark of the Riders” as Oromis described it. Weather she would join the Empire or not, I don’t know. However, I did say SECONDARY candidate. This means she’s there with Nasuada. From a storytelling view, however, Arya seems to be the most obvious candidate. But we would do well not to claim that a specific theory is correct, as none of us really knows.

CP said that next drider has been in all books. We also know that driders are chosen under the age of 20. No other character in the books fits the description… Maybe Quibly’s son? but as a choice for realistic dragon rider that fits all the requirements, then Elva is the only one…

Morgoth

Freaky two year old child with magic pain sensing abilities, capable of turning it to her own devious ends?

The morale of the story is: Next time you see a lovely maiden, use protection fair warriors!

Asura

Wait… Elva is 2 years old? Meaning 2 years have passed between the beginnng of “Eragon” and the end of “Brisingr”?

Tre

Erm…. Not necessariliy the beginning of Eragon, just when he blessed her. And thats in general, give or take months.

stronghammer

It’s kind of obvious isn’t it? remember the old guy in the old elven village who taught angelina? i predict that elva will remain neutral and live with the old guy- only leaving to help eragon find the vault of souls when begged by the old fart.

guy-with-hair

i’m commenting this here because for some reason i can’t comment on anything that has to do with subject… But alot of the stories loose ends seem pretty clear to me! For one “the vault of souls” obviously has a bunch of eldunari. The “rock of kuthian” and “the vault of souls” are in the spine. I know this because of all the places it makes the most sense for example the spine is extremely dangerous because strange and unknown creatures live in there and as it has been said multiple time strange things happen from just the presence of a dragon. Also galbortorix lost HALF his army in the spine and who better to of been able to do that than the dragons who want revenge more than anyone. Also as said in the first book eragon always felt more secure in the spine and that makes sense since he was destined to become a dragon rider and being around dragon influences probably made him the more ikely choice to be dragon rider. The next things are more eduacated predictions than anything… The varden are going to attack galbotorix castle which by the way is in the foothills of the spine! Well that is going to fail and eragon is going to barely escape and thats when he is going to find the rock of kuthian most likely from feeling the presence of a dragon or by being contacted by dragons. Next eragon and nasuada isn’t happening if anything it’s gonna be nasuada and murtagh since it was hinted in the first book that they both liked each other and then agian in the second book when nasuada learns murtagh is a rider and she gets really depressed by it. And eragon and arya probably happens since it’s been gradually happening. Next roran doesn’t die considering eragons right there along with saphira what probably happened is eragon pushes him out of the way with magic without thinkig about it like he did in farthen dur with dwarves when he was being atacked. so yeah feel free to like this when i’m proven right when the book comes out.(:

Baine

@alexis, she forgave eragon in eldest because most likely the spell was acting on her to comfort eragon, not out of her own feelings.

Eragon549

Elva is a wild card she will remain neutral but she will lean more towards the Varden because of her debt to Saphira.

And Elva could be the Unnamed Shadow mentioned by Eragon.

lunoxis

if Angela can stop Elva from finging out what her weakness is then why cant Galby?

N!ck

Because Galby doesn’t know about her

blahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Elva is powerful but her life will be short she already is growing twice as fast as normal. I believe she’ll grow at an exponential rate and won’t live past 7 if she’s lucky.

bigmike

I think she has magic in her blood now and will live quite long like most magical beings.

There’s no way she’s just going to abandon Saphira, even if she doesn’t like Eragon or Nasuada (which is wrong. She has no opinion.).

Anonymous

I see Elva joining Galbatorix, but then, like Murtagh, she will realize that he will only use her and she will not get what she wants from him. Then she will go recruiting to get her own people to take him and his army out and then at the very end show up with little foreshadowing to help the Varden in a last battle of sorts. I also see her somehow helping Eragon to find Galbatorix’s weakness. I would love to see her become a dragon rider. She would be the most powerful thing on the planet. Can you imagine Elva with all the abilities that Eragon has? Ridiculously powerful! Plus, she is much more intelligent than Eragon (at least inherently) and could probably find ways to use magic that are so innovative that she would change the entire world from her work. If this series could be fleshed out like the WoT series(14 books that are all longer and more complicated than any of these) past killing Galbatorix, I could see her taking Galbatorix’s spot as a despot, but even more powerful and ruthless. I hope Paolini writes more even once Eragon leaves Alagaesia.

Anonymous

Elva is annoying. I would not be sad to see her go. Hopefully she dies saving Eragon or someone important.

Petiibp

I never really liked her either, I can understand her personality cause of what she had to endure but she seemed really selfish and ungrateful

Anonymous

I -love- Elva. She is one of my favorite characters in the Inheritance Cycle mainly because she is so unusual. I’m not sure what role she will play in the final book but i’m certain she will pick a side rather than remain neutral (though that side will probably be her own). One theory i do have is that she may inadvertently discover she can draw energy from the minds she senses with her abilities, meaning she could potentially become powerful enough to destroy entire armies or (in partnership with Eragon) Galbatorix.

N!ck

yeah i like your theory! since no one has except Angela has created a ward to protect from eva she could infiltrate an entire army’s mind a steal energy or control them.

Lizzy Baker

I think Elva will become some sort of double agent for the Varden, with only maybe Angela knowing. I think that she’ll betray Galbatorix at the last critical moment and either kill him herself or make way for someone else to kill him. It would be a great twist I’d be looking foward to reading. I personally hope that Roran becomes the last rider. It seems appropriate because they’re all related and it’s the Inheritance Cycle. (I know that Roran wasn’t the topic of discussion, but there are rumors and theories going around that the next rider will be Elva because of her own shining brow.)

Lizzy Baker

I think Elva will become some sort of double agent for the Varden, with only maybe Angela knowing. I think that she’ll betray Galbatorix at the last critical moment and either kill him herself or make way for someone else to kill him. It would be a great twist I’d be looking foward to reading. I personally hope that Roran becomes the last rider. It seems appropriate because they’re all related and it’s the Inheritance Cycle. (I know that Roran wasn’t the topic of discussion, but there are rumors and theories going around that the next rider will be Elva because of her own shining brow.)

petrik

no way roran becomes the rider… zero chance of that happening. christopher would not destroy their epic romance with Katrina by making Roran immortal and visualy not aging while katrina would have to age standardly and eventualy die after some 50 or so years…
and I also don´t believe that Elva has any chance of becoming a rider of green dragon. she may play some role in stealing the egg from galbatorix (that double agent theory some people has posted here I actually like a lot), but to become a rider herself…? big NO.
I would be very surprised if the green dragon doesn´t hatch for Arya. she is the most logical candidate from the context of the story. if the rider of the green dragon should play some role of importance in the Galbatorix eventual downfall, he/she would have to be strong warrior and magician. Eragon certainly wouldn´t have the time to train a totaly unexperienced person in both magic and swordsmanship to the level when he/she could be of any use against Galbatorix. Arya already is powerful and experienced magician and warrior, Eragon would have to teach her only the few secrets that are known only to riders – which would also be ideal opportunity for the two to become closer to each other. and there is also that popular reason with Arya´s magic color to match the color of green dragon…

Anonymous

That’s why CP kills her off. Katrina dies in child birth or something, and the sadness or rage of her death allows Roran to do magic for the first time. The emotion breaks through the barrier that hasn’t let him do it. Then he becomes the next rider. His dragon will fill his emotional need.

(I doubt this will happen but it’s possible.)

Eragon Shadeslayer

Your just jelous that Roran got a babe like Katrina.

bella ♥ vita

I’m sorry, but I’m just not down with this theory at all. What a god awful thing to do, let alone hope for, and what a depressing way to end the cycle. I’m not banking on a happy ending across the board for everyone, but after everything Roran has been through to be with Katrina it would be insane not to mention unbelievably irritating for CP to just kill her off like that. There’s also no way becoming bonded to a dragon would make up for losing Katrina or fill the emotional void left by that loss. Plus, there’s of course the whole issue of Arya fulfilling every single solitary clue CP had given us regarding the next rider so I would be absolutely floored if she isn’t the next rider.

42ndDragon

The Arya = rider theory has been one I was considering for a while

Brom mentioned that each magicians magic has it’s own color right before that Eragon made a blue fireball. The same color as Saphira, and as his eyes.
Oromis: golden dragon. When he made a fireball in, it was golden (don’t know about eye color)
Murtagh: red dragon. He smote Hrogthar with red lightning (don’t know about eye color)
Arya: green eyes, green magyic… And the last dragon is green.
also, it would go well with the storyline 🙂

aellafallingstar

Eragon has brown eyes. It says so in the first book. “Eragon was fifteen, less than a year from manhood. Dark eyebrows rested above his intense brown eyes.” ~Eragon, page 6

petrik

no way roran becomes the rider… zero chance of that happening. christopher would not destroy their epic romance with Katrina by making Roran immortal and visualy not aging while katrina would have to age standardly and eventualy die after some 50 or so years…
and I also don´t believe that Elva has any chance of becoming a rider of green dragon. she may play some role in stealing the egg from galbatorix (that double agent theory some people has posted here I actually like a lot), but to become a rider herself…? big NO.
I would be very surprised if the green dragon doesn´t hatch for Arya. she is the most logical candidate from the context of the story. if the rider of the green dragon should play some role of importance in the Galbatorix eventual downfall, he/she would have to be strong warrior and magician. Eragon certainly wouldn´t have the time to train a totaly unexperienced person in both magic and swordsmanship to the level when he/she could be of any use against Galbatorix. Arya already is powerful and experienced magician and warrior, Eragon would have to teach her only the few secrets that are known only to riders – which would also be ideal opportunity for the two to become closer to each other. and there is also that popular reason with Arya´s magic color to match the color of green dragon…

pearce

I think that elva will die saving a major character. i also think that because of her gedway insignia she may have some form of eldunari. I also think that she already knows galbys weakness and tht it will not be told with ease.

pearce

I be

entarotassadar

I want Elva to love Eragon and Eragon adopts her. That’d be cute. 🙂

Evarinya

I see Elva as a lone figure more than on anyone’s “team”. I also believe that she knows way more than we give her credit for. Knowing someone’s pain can suggest a whole new variety of things about them. I agree with the theory that she will appear to betray the Varden, but actually save them. =)

Awesomeh95

If Elva should be mad at anyone, it should only be Greta. She was the buffoon that (despite her good intentions) got her into this mess, grabbing Eragon’s leg and not letting go. Elva shouldn’t act so arrogant. Her powers are wonderfully useful, but they are in no mean directly dangerous. In fact, the only way they CAN be dangerous is if she withhold the information of someone’s weakness demise. I hate how she is so confident to believe that she is an important player in this war game. If anything, she wouldn’t be a pawn, but she most certainly would not be a knight, at best, a rook or bishop. Someone capable of disrupting the game, quite possibly being important in the end, but the way the story is going, most certainly not someone that will have a major hand in the downfall of Galbatorix. I think that all in all, she will realize her weakness, tone down her arrogance, and stick with the Varden WITHOUT assuming a duty or allegiance. She WILL help Eragon in a critical way, mostly due to the magic that flows within her is of Eragon’s machinations.

Jenah

I think Elva will help Eragon and Saphira find the eldunari. She can feel other’s suffering, and who would suffer more than hundreds of souls that have been enslaved for a few centuries? She would be able to sense them. She likes Saphira, maybe she’ll do it to help her.

Sirsimon

I think that while Elva is certainly a fascinating character, but I dont like her, and I will be annoyed if she is involved with the green dragon, the next rider or Galby’s downfall, it is Eragon that is meant to defeat Galby.

i just see Elva as unnessecary to the story, you could write the entire story and not have her present, granted Paolini enjoyed creating her, but a good number of us don’t perfer reading about her, I would rather read more of Murtagh and Thorn

Zach

OK. So I know that this isn’t related to the forum, but I need some opinions. What do you guys think the Menoa tree took from Eragon (if anything) when Eragon and Saphira get the Brightsteel from her/it? I have many theories for different subjects, but for this one I got nothing. Anyone?

Lucia

Dunno. His true name? Saphira’s Eldunari?

Eragon Shadeslayer

She couldn’t have taken Saphira’s HOH because only Saphira can give that away. And as for his true name, He is obviously going to change, as will his true name, so even if she did take it, then she would only have a limited amount of time to control him.

Anonymous

Immortality?

Eragon Shadeslayer

He’s a dragon Rider. He’ll live on till he dies by sickness or by the sword. It was something else.

Eragon Shadeslayer

He’s a dragon Rider. He’ll live on till he dies by sickness or by the sword. It was something else.

Guest

She took his ability to have kids. She was a scorned lover so i think that it is the most likely truth. Theye said something about lower stomach so thats my guess

Anonymous

I read someone else’s idea which I thought was interesting which was that she took sperm or something from him. The area he felt it come from makes sense to it and she’s a gilted lover, maybe she’ll have a child from it.. and elf children are extremely powerful so it could be a help against galby

Blackthornrose

i don’t think she’d be a future rider, but i also don’t see her betraying the Varden easily either. I think she might play a part in Galby’s downfall, but I don’t think she will necessarily do it out of the goodness of her heart either. She is going to be an interesting one to watch throughout the final book, for sure.

Jmbwolfter25

i hope Christopher just kills her, i dont like her

Zach

She is very negative and although she could help the Varden a lot, she is too unpredictable. I think she should sacrafice herself for the good of the Varden in the end.

Eragon Shadeslayer

THANK YOU!!!!!!! Someone agrees with me. If someone puts a knife in her, I will be happy. a bit sad to see her die that way, but happy nonetheless

Petiibp

I agree she is annoying

Master Glaedr

I believe she will leave the Varden and join the empire. She obviously has a sense of evil at heart now and i do not think she will stick with the varden. I think she actually might be the new rider that would be shocking but a very good twist 😛

Eragon Shadeslayer

She would, if she didn’t want to hurt Saphira in any way. If she leaves the Varden and joins the empire, helps Galby kidnap Eragon, torture him, and take Saphira’s HOH, then she’s hurting Saphira because “(she’s) your humble servant, Saphira.” so no matter how much she hates Eragon for what he did, or how happy she is that he tride to reverse it, she wouldn’t join the Empire for Saphira’s sake.

AryaRose

People have been suggesting that perhaps Elva will be the key to Galby’s downfall or one of the riders of the future but I personally find this hard to believe. Christopher has said himself that Elva is a character that has surprised him. She wasn’t included in his original outlines and was initially just there as a way for him to demonstrate Eragon’s new status when he arrived in the Varden. I could be completely wrong of course but I just feel like we may be assigning her a little more importance than perhaps is warranted. That’s not to say she won’t play some kind of role in book four but I just don’t see her being the key to winning the war. And I definitely don’t see her being a rider. Seriously what dragon would want to bond with such a pessimist?

AryaRose

People have been suggesting that perhaps Elva will be the key to Galby’s downfall or one of the riders of the future but I personally find this hard to believe. Christopher has said himself that Elva is a character that has surprised him. She wasn’t included in his original outlines and was initially just there as a way for him to demonstrate Eragon’s new status when he arrived in the Varden. I could be completely wrong of course but I just feel like we may be assigning her a little more importance than perhaps is warranted. That’s not to say she won’t play some kind of role in book four but I just don’t see her being the key to winning the war. And I definitely don’t see her being a rider. Seriously what dragon would want to bond with such a pessimist?

Alec Venecia

I don’t like elva…..

petrik

in my eyes, Elva is the weak point of the
whole Inheritance cycle . in my eyes, she is the least believable
character (I mean, her whole existence in the story is least
“defendable” by logic and rules Christopher made for magic which lowers
the credibility of the story) and I see her “creation” as a mistake by
Christopher.

I can believe that magic can influence physical attributes or abilities
of a person (ability to not feel pain, adjustments Eragon made for his
hands, etc…)

but to use magic to give somebody MENTAL ability, some knowledge or
talent the person didn´t have before…? sorry, I don´t buy that. if
magic is capable of such things, of creating somebody like Elva,
somebody with abilities she has, why would not be such spells used much
more often? Wouldn´t it be the easiest thing to do? All Eragon needed to
do would be to cast some spell like: ” let me know the weaknesses of
all my enemies” or “let me see the future” or “let me know the way how
to defeat galbatorix” etc etc… in general “let me have some
ability/knowledge that I don´t have at this time”

if it would be possible to use magic this way… the consequences would be just unconceivable

correct me if I am wrong, maybe I forgot some part of the books that explain these questions…

Anonymous

You know you make an interesting point. personally, the “believability” of the story in context of what we know in science doesnt really bother me, considering its a fantasy novel. Though if I were to take your point of view, the only explanation of elva’s powers that still fits with the story, but doesnt make it too easy for eragon to casts spells like you mentioned would be that Elva cannot be blocked out of anyone’s mind by their mental defences and can interpret their thoughts in a way that lets her know what their worries are and stuff like that. this is just an idea, it probably doesnt make sense anyway…

Stenr Riesa

Though Eragon provided the structure for Elva’s blessing, Saphira was the one who added the extra oomf needed to make Elva’s powers so outrageous. If she hadn’t, Eragon’s blessing probably would only have made Elva more eager to help people, or something very subtle like that. And since Dragons have no control over the magic they wield, Elva isn’t a repeatable specimen.

GregB

The part i don’t like about the whole Elva thing is that Eragon did that to her without breaching the barrier in his mind, yet just saying the blessing drained him of energy as if he cast a spell, and worked like a spell.

Sallystar6of7

the point of the story isnt to be believable, but for chris to have fun writing it, and for us to enjoy!

petrik

OK, so imagine that in the middle of battle of burning planes, formation of F-18, supported with on the ground battalion of tanks and soldiers firing bazookas and machine guns would appear and help the Varden to victory. that would be fun, wouldn´t it? but would it be “believable” – in the context of the story?

what I was trying to say is, that once Christopher admit that magic is capable of creation somebody like Elva (that magic is capable of giving people – not magicians – extraordinary abilities, powers, talents, knowledge etc), it is hardly believable that such spells wouldn´t be used on everyday´s basis…
the only “logical” (more or less believable) explanation would probably be – like others suggested here – that Sahphira put a piece of her own special dragon magic into tEragons blessing and doing so multiplied its effect…

gt99

it was the dragon’s magic that gave her those abilities or saphira’s magic eragon’s blessing or spell just formed the structure of what her abilities would be another example of this can be seen in eldest where the dragon’s magic advances eragon’s own mental and physical abilities to that of an elf’s

Blackthornrose

you never know, maybe she was born with the ability, and eragon’s blessing/saphira’s mark just brought it to the forefront a little more. That’s one of those things that can’t really be explained without getting complicated and potentially confusing fans, in my opinion.

i think that’s just one of those things we may never know.

Lucia

Several points, but one main one is that, if I remember correctly, Saphira’s energy fueled the spell. Many otherwise impossible spells can be achieved through a dragon.

petrik

maybe I don´t remember this episode correctly, but I think Saphira only gave the silver mark on Elva´s forehead? don´t remember whether she put some of her energy into Eragon´s blessing too, or otherwise interfered to increase final effect of the blessing…
could be, I would have to check

Eragon Shadeslayer

Well, I get what your saying, but then again, Eragon cursed her by accident. His intetions were pure, but he cursed her. As for the abilities that they don’t have, It’s possible, according to Orimis, but then the individual who was given the changes wouldn’t understand all his new abilites as well as if he got them himself. As for Elva, she’s just not the kind of person I see who will thatnk anyone for helping her, no matter how much she needs it. She’s just a JA.

Eragon Shadeslayer

Plus Saphira put a Gedwey Ignasia on her brow, which could explain how she got the abilities she has.

Wes Cook1016

Ok as I remember it, technically it wasn’t a failed attempt to fix it. He was told to stop by Elva before he said all of the lines that oromis had given him. Because she likeda having that ability but not the physical pain if she didn’t act on it. And also I don’t think it was clever plot trick. I think it was a nessicary action cause without it she would have had to warn / stop Eragon from killing Galbatorix just was she would have to vice versa. Now she is free from that obligation however still dangerous cause now she has the ability to choose who she helps or doesn’t.

What about the other guy that Eragon blessed or whatever. The one that can see the gems with magic stored in them. I think he will come into play in the 4th book. I also think he will be to one to find Oromis’s sword. But he might have just been a device to explain how Murtagh was so powerful.

I know this is off topic but I didn’t get a chance to post on the vault of souls one. Why would Christopher put heart of hearts in the vault. It makes no sense. If he does that then whomever has the most wins. Pretty sad ending if you ask me.

eebi

It was definitely a failed attempt. Eragon said the spell that he thought would cure her, but it didn’t. Elva could still feel the pain of people around her. He’s disappointed and then says that he can try and remove it completely and then she realizes she can block out the pain. Then she says she won’t let him heal her of the spell completely.

speedsk8

i think she’ll be on her own side all together. she clearly doesn’t like many people in the varden, and obviously hates the empire seeing as she sided with the varden initially. i think she will be the one to kill galbatorix, or at least have a major role in his killing, without being part of the varden

SS

I think she’ll join the Empire… but turn out to be a double agent =)

Thergoat

I think she’ll stick with the varden but be a complete jerk about it

Thergoat

I think she’ll stick with the varden but be a complete jerk about it

Anonymous

Elva. Little devil! I’ll never get out of your mysteries… Quick book 4 !!

Tristan S.

Okay, two thoughts
1. Eragon’s blessing on Elva wasn’t just the accidental curse part where he said ‘a shield’ not ‘shielded’. However, the first part of the blessing was actually legitimately positive. ‘May luck and happiness follow you wherever you may go’. If the second part of the blessing came true, why shouldn’t that part, shouldn’t she actually be very lucky and happy, or is that still to come.
2. When Eragon blessed Elva he said “Atra gulai un ilian tauthr ono waise skolir fra rauthr,” intended to mean “let luck and happiness follow you and may you be shielded from misfortune.” He accidentally said “a shield” instead of “shielded” because he supposedly did not know to add the suffix -o to maked the noun a past tense verb. However, in Eldest, to guard his conversation with Nasuada, he said “Atra nosu waise vardo fra eld hornya.” He used “vardo.” A form of “varden,” a noun, with the suffix -o added to make it a past tense verb. Seem familiar? It seems that Eragon was already aware of the rule and he did not use it in the blessing for some reason, and he never realized his own mistake. Is this a legitimate flaw or am I missing something?

Sallystar6of7

i think it was just an mistake. he wasn’t very good with the actual vocabulary, brom mostly just had him memorize spells and words in the acient language.

DanHoover1985

For the first part “May luck and happiness follow you” that part has happened but for those she has protected not for here which is the double meaning of the phrase. An for the second part the “ed” on a word is not always past tense, for example if one were to say “May we be guarded from harm” would imply that the danger is still forth coming and not happened yet, so in essence all Eragon was probably saying was “May our words be guarded from intruders” or something of that meaning.

Blackthornrose

If I remember correctly, your #2 took place before he had his training with Oromis, and therefore he only knows what the spells would do (as Brom had taught him), and had not yet learned about the grammar of the ancient language. So I would guess that at that point in Eldest, he was not yet aware of the rule.

Blackthornrose

If I remember correctly, your #2 took place before he had his training with Oromis, and therefore he only knows what the spells would do (as Brom had taught him), and had not yet learned about the grammar of the ancient language. So I would guess that at that point in Eldest, he was not yet aware of the rule.

Sallystar6of7

how many big twenty are left?

Sallystar6of7

how many big twenty are left?

Sallystar6of7

how many big twenty are left?

Guest

Do the math. This is the 15th and its the big twenty

Sallystar6of7

where does it say this is 15, cause i don’t see it on this page? and why do you have to get all up in my face for such a simple question?

Guest

Do the math. This is the 15th and its the big twenty

a smart guy

For some odd reason, I want to see Elva riding Shurikan. They both would have received new-found freedom, which could be enough for them to bond. It probably won’t happen but a man can dream.

Sallystar6of7

that would be cool! i mean elva and shruikan have both had hard lives, and lost people they didn’t know but would have been very important if they had lived. i think shruikan and elva will go and live in duwenden-varden and be happy.

Wes Cook1016

I had the same thought when I was reading it too; however, I’m afraid that Christopher is going to kill the black dragon as some kind of mercy type thing or his mind is too corrupt from the years with galby. Although I did just have a thought that maybe the black dragon is actually the one pulling the string and he killed first his rider cause he couldn’t bend his mind. Here a distributed weak minded galbatorix is there and blacky take him over and make him do his will. It would be a neat trick.

Ebrithil

I’m hundreds that voted that she’d stay with the Varden. But, if Elva decides to join the Empire, a lot of us will be surprised at the twist in the story.

Ebrithil

I meant to put “I’m one of the hundreds…”

hoke

I personally don’t like Elva very much. I think that Christopher just included her as a scapegoat character, one that no one really likes. Every good story has one. As to her role in book 4…. She might help kill Galbatorix, she might be assassinated, she might be the next rider, she might dissapear, or heck she could even marry Nar Gharzvog. I can’t really tell, but I hope she doesn’t play a huge part

Zach

I think that the spell Angela placed on herself to make it so Elva can’t read her fears will play a huge part in the pacification and eventual controlling of her by the Varden.
Comments?

Has Elvas life expectancy been addressed? I seem to recall that after Elva’s tempertantrum, Angela said that she would have to spend the next decade teaching Elva manners. This would imply that Angela at least thought that she would live some time, but she has aged so much already, one would wonder how long she really can live.

Has Elvas life expectancy been addressed? I seem to recall that after Elva’s tempertantrum, Angela said that she would have to spend the next decade teaching Elva manners. This would imply that Angela at least thought that she would live some time, but she has aged so much already, one would wonder how long she really can live.

Cory Knoll

I believe Elva said she grew because she had to to fulfill her curse. The magic copmpelled her body to grow. Now that she is matured enough physically to actually do something about the pain of others, and now that she can chose to help them or ignore the compulsion, I think she will develope normally from here on out, physically at least.

I didn’t remember that, Thank you. In that case, she probably will start to physically age normally

eebi

Hmmm… just couple of points about Elva.
One, I would not like to see Elva become the next Dragon Rider. She’s so very determined, at the end of Brisingr, to be completely independent of all influence (and who can blame her, she’s been at the mercy of every emotion around her for the last two years) that she’d probably take Greenie and disappear. And, unless Greenie saw something very, very special in her, he probably wouldn’t hatch for her because of the huge risk that she’d just take him and disappear somewhere.
Two, Angela. Like a lot of people have said, if anyone can tame Elva, Angela can. I don’t think Angela will force/convince Elva to side with the Varden, because I’m sure Angela would leave the Varden in a heartbeat if Nasuada did something she doesn’t approve of. I think that all she really wants to teach Elva is manners: to not use her power indiscriminately to control people just because she can, but to do so for someone’s benefit. If Angela succeeds, Elva may very well decide of her own will to side with the Varden, but Angela is such a free spirit herself that she definitely won’t force Elva to side with the Varden.

Matt

Im with you dude, if she was the next rider I’d want to put the book down haha

Sallystar6of7

with ya to man!

Irock131

errr…. if anybody is on that would know if the book club is coming out tonight, please tell me (i wanna know if i should go to sleep or stay up)

Man, I didn’t even think about her reaction to Glaedr. Will she be able to block out his pain?

Mr-x

wow i really didn’t think about that either she may know exactly what to say to him to make him get over losing oromis because as was she knows exactly what the heart desires ahh this is fantastic i don’t know how i hadn’t thought of this before thank you very much Matt.

Mr-x

wow i really didn’t think about that either she may know exactly what to say to him to make him get over losing oromis because as was she knows exactly what the heart desires ahh this is fantastic i don’t know how i hadn’t thought of this before thank you very much Matt.

Sallystar6of7

i dont think he will ever “get over” losing his best friend of like 1000 years!

Mr-x

obviously i don’t literally mean get over oromis… i just mean if anyone can convince glaedr to talk it would be elva.

Eragon Shadeslayer

I hoping not, so she reliezes what alot have put on the line to bring Galby down. Maybe that’s what gets her to join the Varden for sure. If she feels Glaedr’s anger, hatred, sorrow, and keeps walking because of her new found freedom, someone better put a knife between her ribs that night. She doesn’t deserve to live if she doesn’t use her power to help others.

In my opinion she will stay with the Varden if for no other reason than that she has already allied with them in the past. Will she kill Galbatorix probably not but I think her power will revel a weakness of his that Eragon will be able to exploit.

David

my was not becues i am not long winded i guess

Anonymous

I love the fan comments! Such a smart idea 🙂
I think Elva is going to stay with the Varden. What Jai M said about how she could find the other Eldunari is so smart! If she can sense pain and suffering than that makes perfect sense, the dragons trapped in the Eldunari under Galby’s control is defiantly suffering xD

No, I mean pronoun. They said “Irock want podcast.” I’m suggestion they should have said, “I want podcast”. You’re right though, they should have also used the article ‘the’

Qulego

I think that Elva is being over thought. I wouldn’t be surprised if we never see her in book 4. She was never supposed to be in the series anyways, which makes it impossible for her to be the next rider and highly unlikely to play a pivotal role.

Reasalex

i don’t think so. She will have an important role that as decided back in Eldest. She will probably get killed by Galby but before that she will have told galby’s weakness to either Eragon, Angela, Nasuada, Saphira or solembum

Anonymous

Are you sure your not think of Angela, who was originally not supposed to have a large role in the cycle?

Eragon Shadeslayer

I hope someone already put a knife in her before book 4 starts. She’s turning to be someone who will be worse than Galby if allowed to grow up.

Soccergirl0603

Does Elva ever come out and say what she knows about Eragon and Saphira (like their weaknesses and desires)? If so, what are they?

Reasalex

in Brisingr she does. Eragon’s weakness is his guilt towards cursing her and also for the destruction of the farm and for Garrow’s death.

Tsquared429

Just remember, Elva was sworn herself to being Saphira’s “faithful servant”. If Elva keeps her promise then Saphira coudl get her to really help the Varden. Although I doubt it will be that simple.

The Green dragon

So the podcast is coming today?

Anonymous

THAT’S ME OMG

Imaronjongirl

I’m not worried. Angela can handle her.

Irock13198

So Bob, did you edit the podcast yet?

Guest

I know this is unrelated but what about the man in Brisingr who could see the eldunari when murtagh attacked? Maybe he will help eragon and saphira find galby’s stash

eebi

Yeah, I think that man will play some role in the future. Christopher wouldn’t have wasted that much space on him otherwise. Maybe he’ll be able to lead Eragon to Galbatorix’s stash of Eldunari…

Sallystar6of7

i like that theory, but chris has been know to go on about uniportant things.

Eragon Shadeslayer

That would make sense as to why he was “blessed by the gods” but then what else would he do unless Eragon killed him?? If a thief found out about him, and takes him away from Eragon, the Varden, the Elves, and the Dwarves, then what’s to say that the dude won’t see Brom’s grave???

Little A

I think she will become a Shade and it is her that is the ‘unnamed shadow’ that is mentioned in Eragon’s Guide to Alagaesia.

Guest

but if she becomes a Shade, then she will still have a name. Both of the other shades we encountered had names. Also, who would turn her into a shade? She wouldn’t do it herself, she could predict the outcome. I think that it’d be a waste of her “talents.”

Eragon Shadeslayer

plus, no one has ever heard a Shade with a Rider’s mark on them.

Reasalex

possible

Anonymous

Maybe Elva will be the next rider. She grows physcially and mentally fast at an abnormal rate, so if the green dragon hatches for her it will inevtiably became linked to her via the Gedwey Ignasia, and would likely grow as fast as she does, which would explain how it could be useful in the final confrontation, having grown enough by then. I think all of that’s unlikely, but it’d be an interesting twist.

eebi

Good theory. I like it. However, Elva becoming the next Rider would be extremely dangerous since she clearly wants nothing to do with helping Eragon or the Varden. I don’t think she’d ever go to Galbatorix’s side, but at the moment, she’s so determined to be “independent” and not listen to anyone that her becoming a Rider would be very risky for the Varden. Would she just take Greenie somewhere and leave? Or what?

inheritancefan95

I personally believe she is going to be almost completely absent form book 4 and that she is the great evil that Eragon mentions in Eragon’s Guide to Alagaesia.

inheritancefan95

I personally believe she is going to be almost completely absent form book 4 and that she is the great evil that Eragon mentions in Eragon’s Guide to Alagaesia.

Yulerule

She did say, after Eragon tried to reverse the curse, that she was neutral toward Eragon, but felt positively toward Saphira.

Denmark111

I seriously doubt we will see much of Elva in Inheritence. And what’s with you saying is she going to “Stick with the Varden”? She just left the Varden! I think there is a good chance for her to play a key part in the downfall, but as Tabitha K said “If the Varden do get it (here being the key part) from her it’s going to cost them deeply.”. She is going to stay neutral/hostile to both sides, perhaps help both sides here and there, but not a chance she is going to “rejoin” Varden.

It’s a really good article! I am so curious about Elva. And even more about – Angela. 😀

Helllooooooo

Off topic, but someone posted a video of Paolini’s book signing from a couple days ago in London! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqGEEyUmMsY … He reads the Roran excerpt (very dramatically) and answers some questions (no spoilers).

Helllooooooo

Off topic, but someone posted a video of Paolini’s book signing from a couple days ago in London! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqGEEyUmMsY … He reads the Roran excerpt (very dramatically) and answers some questions (no spoilers).

Thanks for sharing that. As you said, no really ground breaking news there, but it still was cool to hear him read that excerpt so dramatically

Helllooooooo

Off topic, but someone posted a video of Paolini’s book signing from a couple days ago in London! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqGEEyUmMsY … He reads the Roran excerpt (very dramatically) and answers some questions (no spoilers).

Arvindr

what if she where to be the become the “shadow” once galbatorix has been defeated?

If Elva would remain neutral, there might be a possibillity that she uses her power to create a new threat to alageasia. Considering that she would be up against an army of people, elves, dwarves and the like. It would be a longshot, but also a nice twist. maybe not the hardest enemy. but we haven’t seen all there is to Elva, that’s for sure.

ItsEminem

An little kid is what I hope she reamains. I hate Elva: she is soo annoying and well annoying.

ShrimpyJess

I agree with you. She’s creepy, wierd, and just plain annoying.

Irock131

Aye

Irock13198

my 98 is gone!

Lil Uhura

I’d have to disagree with you guys just a little bit on one point. It’s stated quite clearly in the books that while Nasuada may respect Elva she both fears and loathes her.

Coasterking

way to throw in your owne book mike loved that and when was that question on face book i must have missed that

Coasterking

way to throw in your owne book mike loved that and when was that question on face book i must have missed that

Ariel13

I doubt Galby has sent assasins after her; as she can detect everyone’s suffering. This includes herself, to prove this, she stops Eragon from forcefully taking away her “gift” saying that what he was about to do would “hurt her”.

stroodle_910

Personally, Elva scares me after Eragon “cures” her. She is an extreme liability to have around and Angela is going to have her hands full. 🙂

Denmark111

I agree, and I don’t think Angela has to much space in her hands at this point either.

Wasn’t supposed to be on the home page. That’s what I get for dozing off after posting a news story. Fixed it now though, thanks!

yeeinheritance

I don’t think Elva will defect, and I think she’ll stay with the Varden or at the very least remain neutral. There are two main points supporting this:

1. Saphira. Elva claims she is Saphira’s faithful servant because Saphira blessed her and always was nice to her. It’s right after Eragon half cures her. So yeah, I really don’t think she’d ever betray Saphira, and by extension, the Varden.

2. Angela. Keep in mind that Angela is taking care of and disciplining Elva. From what we know of Angela (unless she’s Galbatorix or something, that would be hilarious!) she would definitely force or convince Elva to side with the Varden. I can’t see Angela letting Elva defect.

I don’t think that Angela is Galbatorix. While this would be funny, it is not very likely. Paolini did say that this was his favorite fan theory; however, so he may have worked it in. (Doubt it though) Elva will be very conflicted and I think she will end up in some sort of fight with Angela.

Mr-x

I like you doubt the whole angela being galby for one reason do you really think solembum would get around with a no good cat kicker like galbatorix.

stroodle_910

aaahh but Galbatorix doesn’t want to hurt Saphira or Eragon. He wants them alive, and he doesn’t need the Varden to have them alive. Elva could POSSIBLY show him how to get rid of the Varden and still get Eragon and Saphira. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but I’m saying it could.

Eragon Shadeslayer

So by extent, she wouldn’t hurt Eragon because of Saphira. but I dont trust her for good reason. In the span of a few seconds after Eragon “cured” her, she completly destroyed him, Nasuada, and I think Angela. That being said, because she hates ERagon, but is “Saphira’s faithful servant” she might go for Roran,Katrina, Nasuada, Arya, or possibly even Angela. Thats alot of family and friends that she would be willing to kill to bring Eragon to his knees. I swear, if she goes for any of them, im burning the book. Ok no i wont, but I will stop reading it.

Eragon Shadeslayer

So by extent, she wouldn’t hurt Eragon because of Saphira. but I dont trust her for good reason. In the span of a few seconds after Eragon “cured” her, she completly destroyed him, Nasuada, and I think Angela. That being said, because she hates ERagon, but is “Saphira’s faithful servant” she might go for Roran,Katrina, Nasuada, Arya, or possibly even Angela. Thats alot of family and friends that she would be willing to kill to bring Eragon to his knees. I swear, if she goes for any of them, im burning the book. Ok no i wont, but I will stop reading it.

Eragon Shadeslayer

So by extent, she wouldn’t hurt Eragon because of Saphira. but I dont trust her for good reason. In the span of a few seconds after Eragon “cured” her, she completly destroyed him, Nasuada, and I think Angela. That being said, because she hates ERagon, but is “Saphira’s faithful servant” she might go for Roran,Katrina, Nasuada, Arya, or possibly even Angela. Thats alot of family and friends that she would be willing to kill to bring Eragon to his knees. I swear, if she goes for any of them, im burning the book. Ok no i wont, but I will stop reading it.

yeeinheritance

At the same time, though, remember she doesn’t HATE Eragon. She herself says she’s neutral to him: mad for cursing her but happy he made the attempt to cure her. So no, I don’t think she’d hurt anyone Eragon holds dear, because that would hurt Saphira.

Unfortunately I didn’t get this in soon enough to be considered for inclusion in the article, but I will post in the comments and let you guys be the judges.

I think that Elva’s character has become very dangerous to
the Varden. She has been bent to the hands of fate unwillingly by Eragon’s
blessing/curse. Nasuada has used Elva for her personal body guard without
really considering that Elva may not have a real choice in the matter. I think
that a betrayal is headed toward the Varden and Elva will play a vital role.
The fact that Angela has become a sort of guardian over Elva suggests that
there is danger there. This may present conflict between Elva and Angela and I
theorize that the true power of Angela will be revealed in this conflict. I
think that a lot of insight to Angela’s character will come in Inheritance and
that it will be very satisfying indeed. I also think
that Angela would never allow Elva to break away from the Varden. So any
betrayal will end in Elva’s imprisonment or death. I don’t
believe that Elva will play a key role in Galbatorix’s death. My reasoning is
simple. Paolini has already said that she may be able to detect his weaknesses,
so I don’t think he would make it that simple.

Mr-x

I believe angela is a Grey Folk/ a descendant of the Grey Folk my reasoning is that she said herself that she is older than she look’s even with magic to make her younger her brain would eventually fail and she would die so this leads me to the fact that she can’t be human she’s definitely not a dwarf and unless she’s an elf although i highly doubt it she’s either a former human dragon rider or she is a descendant or one of the Grey Folk. Also she has visited ellesmerra before Oromis back’s this up and human’s beside brom and eragon haven’t been to ellesmera in a long time well atleast i think so anyway can i get some verification on this.

I don’t buy into the whole Angela is a Grey folk theory. The most likely characters to turn out to be Grey folk in my opinion are the werecats. I think that the most likely explanation for Angela’s past is that she was a dragon rider. I think Tenga was too, possibly even one of the Elder’s. I remember that humans hadn’t visited Ellesmera since the fall, but we also don’t know how long it has been since Angela visited Ellesmera. I didn’t mean for this post to go off topic, I was just trying to say that I think there will be an epic conflict between Elva and Angela and Elva will come out the worse for it.

Mr-x

yeah her being an ex-dragon rider would make up for her being a bit loopy that goes for tenga aswell his question could easily be how can he bring his dragon back from the dead. and seriously werecats? that would mean they didn’t get wiped out but were transfigured into werecats when they cats their spell to bind magic to the ancient language. which is highly possible considering magic’s very unstable.

This isn’t necessarily true. The grey folk could have been werecats originally or their childlike forms might be the original or perhaps it was their nature to shape shift. Who says that anything had to “happen” to them when they bound the magic to the ancient language. What would have been the point in binding magic to the ancient language if they would all die and never be able to use it.

This isn’t necessarily true. The grey folk could have been werecats originally or their childlike forms might be the original or perhaps it was their nature to shape shift. Who says that anything had to “happen” to them when they bound the magic to the ancient language. What would have been the point in binding magic to the ancient language if they would all die and never be able to use it.

This isn’t necessarily true. The grey folk could have been werecats originally or their childlike forms might be the original or perhaps it was their nature to shape shift. Who says that anything had to “happen” to them when they bound the magic to the ancient language. What would have been the point in binding magic to the ancient language if they would all die and never be able to use it.

This isn’t necessarily true. The grey folk could have been werecats originally or their childlike forms might be the original or perhaps it was their nature to shape shift. Who says that anything had to “happen” to them when they bound the magic to the ancient language. What would have been the point in binding magic to the ancient language if they would all die and never be able to use it.

Eragon Shadeslayer

Well, that we still dont know Angela’s full extent of power scares me. All we know is that she apprenteced with Tenga, that Solumbum finds her worthy to be around, that King Halfpaw hates her, and that she is amazing with potions and such. We don’t know if she can wield magic, we don’t know how she got the Huthvir from one of Durgrimst Quan. We dont know what she was doing is Ellesmera. Theres alot we dont know, so im sure she might be a Rider of one of Saphira’s eggs.

Angela’s full power doesn’t scare me, it excites me. I personally think that Angela can wield magic and I think she is awesome at it. My reasoning is that Angela used to apprentice with Tenga. If Tenga can use magic and is willing to do it without words, then I think it unlikely that he would have a non-magic using apprentice. I also remember Angela’s dislike for most spell casters’ frivolous attitudes toward magic. This implies that she can use magic and chooses not to. I personally think that she has a painful memory that has caused her to quit using magic. (Like losing her dragon)

Eragon Shadeslayer

She is not a dragon Rider. I hope that she becomes a Rider of one of Saphira’s eggs, but she wasn’t a Rider when the fall happened. I doubt she was even alive when the Fall happened

Thank you Irock. I hate when people state things as fact with no supporting evidence. I try to never state any of my theories as fact and always try to include as much evidence as possible. The whole cant be this cant be that game is useless to play with Paolini’s books. It is stupid to count out even the most outlandish theories espescially if people dont support the objections with facts or evidence. My theory is that she was there, she lost her dragon and now using magic reminds her that her dragon is gone.

Eragon Shadeslayer

Yes, your right, but I find that idea as not gonna happen because of my own theories that I keep to myself and the ones i post.

Eragon Shadeslayer

Yes, your right, but I find that idea as not gonna happen because of my own theories that I keep to myself and the ones i post.

Fp

Apparently you missed his whole point. You didn’t state your views as personal theory, but rather as fact. “She wasn’t a rider when the fall happened.” And you know this how? Because it doesn’t fit with your theory? Then say that as opposed to stating it as fact. Also clearly the facts you do know are inaccurate since you state she wasn’t even alive during the fall, which she says she was….. If it’s your theory then say it;s a theory rather than stating it to be solid, inarguable fact.

Thank you Fp. At least someone recognized that I wasn’t criticizing his theories or beliefs, but instead was criticizing his blind statement of that theory as if it was fact.

Eragon Shadeslayer

AND THAT IS MY THEORY!!!!!!!! Dang. Ya’ll have thicker heads than Eragon with Arya, than dwarves with the Star Rose, and then Rhunon and her blades.

Matt S

She can use magic, she just has trouble doing so. When Eragon is explaining the process of undoing his curse on Elva he starts by saying a magician must first delve into the magic inside them and Angela interupts him and says thats what she always has trouble with. In Eldest a dwarf tells Eragon that she won the Huthvir in an unfair game. The only thing we don’t know from your list is what she was doing in Ellesmera.

Eragon Shadeslayer

Ya, but we don’t know HOW she got the Hurthvir. That’s what scares me. And she obviously has friends in the elves, and for her to wield magic, I’ll need to touch up on my history.

Irock13198

i still think she should go and get herself killed, she is creeeeeepy!

Eragon Shadeslayer

you jerk. tho there is some reasoning for that. But she shouldn’t go and try to get herself killed, tho I find it hard that someone will be able to put a knife in her.

yeeinheritance

Mike just wanted to let you know that I’m really thankful you managed to type this up even when you’re sick… thanks a lot. You’re already making the final month and a week much more bearable. 😀

I agree that there’s not really any incentive for Elva to join the Empire, and the theory that said something on her being trained by Angela meaning that Angela won’t let her join the Empire stuck in my mind as well. However… I don’t see her joining Eragon and Saphira for the final battle, or even giving Galby’s weakness. I see her as a neutral piece, and I think it would be a sort of weak move to have her self serving nature assert itself in Brisingr only to be thrown down to aid the Varden again in Inheritance.

Yes, I know this post is five days late… and I’m sorry for that. I tried my best to keep everyone in the loop through the comments, but I’m sure some still missed my remarks and were wondering what had happened with the Big Twenty and podcast this week.

I was traveling for a while and got home on Monday. During my travels I caught the flu and spent a majority of this week in bed (during which time I was able to re-play Portal and Portal 2 too many times and catch up on fall TV…). You’ll hear in the podcast (hopefully releasing tomorrow) how horrid I sound while sick. 😉

Anyway, thanks for the patience and I hope you enjoy the article! I was really excited about the idea to include fan opinions and am really glad I chose to do so. You guys had some great theories and I’m thrilled to have included them.

No worries Mike. I hope you are feeling much better. I have been looking forward to this Big Twenty and it actually kept me from being distracted from my other anxieties and hopes for this week. I have been painfully counting down the days until Inheritance’s release and have been stressed that my cover artist is taking longer than I hoped to get my art to me so I can get my book into print as well as epublished. Thanks again for the distraction and again I hope you are feeling much better.

Well i hope your feeling better and no one will care if you sound bad cus they love the podcasts. ive been feeling bad to this week cus i got salmonella.and hey i missed it but you said that you were watching fall tv, so did you get to see Terra Nova?

Quit bugging him people! I’m sure it will be released before Inheritance comes out

Ashley A

Great article as always, Mike! No need to worry about posting late! We’re all hooked on the articles and podcasts at this point, so it’s not even a possibility to stop reading and listening to them! Ha ha ha! 🙂 Oh, and I loved your little plug about the Inheritance Almanac, about it’s eloquent remarks about Elva. Very nice! Thanks again! 🙂

Ashley A

Oh, and I’d definitely suggest watching Hawaii Five-0 Season 2 of the remake which started this fall! It’s a great action-packed show! 🙂

Ashley A

Oh, and I’d definitely suggest watching Hawaii Five-0 Season 2 of the remake which started this fall! It’s a great action-packed show! 🙂